Basic derivatives of glutamic acid and aspartic acid as gastrin or cholecystokinin antagonists

ABSTRACT

Compounds of general formula (I), in which r is 1 or 2, R 1  is selected independently from: unsubstituted, mono- or di-substituted phenyl groups, unsubstituted, mono- or di-substituted phenylamino groups, the 2(beta)-naphthyl group, and heterocyclic, monocyclic or dicyclic groups; R 2  is selected independently from: heterocyclic spiro groups, aminoalkyladamantyl groups, alkylamino groups, C 4  -C 10  cycloalkylamino groups, and dicyclic amino groups (condensed); R 3  is H, CH 3  or C 2  H 5  ; A is a bond or a linear or branched alkylene group comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; W is a tertiary amino group or a heterocyclic group.

This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 case of PCT/EP93/00842, filed Apr. 6, 1993. The subject of the present invention is basic derivatives of glutamic acid and aspartic acid which can be represented by the general formula indicated below: ##STR1## and in which r is 1 or 2;

R₁ is selected independently from:

unsubstituted phenyl mono- or di-substituted phenyl groups in which the substituents are selected from the halogens (chloro, fluoro, and bromo), linear or branched C₁ -C₄ alkyl groups, and nitro, cyano, methoxy, and trifluoromethyl groups; an unsubstituted phenylamino group; phenylamino groups mono- or di-substituted as described above for the phenyl group; the 2(beta)-naphthyl group; heterocyclic, monocyclic or dicyclic groups selected from an unsubstituted pyridyl group, pyridyl groups mono- or di-substituted with methyl, chloro, furyl (2- or 3-yl), indolyl (2- or 3-yl), isoindolyl (3-yl), benzofuranyl (2- or 3-yl) quinolinyl (2- or 3-yl) or isoquinolinyl (3-yl);

R₂ is selected independently from:

1) a heterocyclic spiro group represented by: ##STR2## in which m and n are selected independently and may have values of between 1 and 3, provided that the ring formed consists of at least 5 atoms, X and Y are selected independently from (CH--R₄)_(z), TCH₂ and CH₂ T in which T is O or S, and in which R₄ is a group selected independently from H, linear and branched C₁ -C₄ alkyl groups, OCH₃, and OH, and z may have values of from 0 to 3, provided that the ring formed consists of at least 3 atoms;

2) an aminoalkyladamantyl group represented by: ##STR3## in which z and R₄ have the meanings given above and Ad is adamantyl (1- or 2-yl);

3) an alkylamino group represented by: ##STR4## in which R₅ is a linear or branched alkyl chain containing from 4 to 10 carbon atoms or a C₅ -C₁₀ cycloaklyl group, or a linear or branched alkoxyalkyl group containing from 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and R₆ is selected independently from H, alkyl groups, linear and branched alkoxyalkyl groups containing from 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and C₅ -C₁₀ cycloalkyl groups;

4) a C₄ -C₁₀ cycloalkylamine;

5) a dicyclic amino group (condensed) represented by: ##STR5## and in which m, n, X, Y, and R₄ have the meanings given above;

R₃ is H, CH₃ or C₂ H₅ ;

A is a bond or a linear or branched alkylene group comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

W may be:

1) a tertiary amino group represented by: ##STR6## in which R₇ and R₈ are, independently, hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group comprising from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, provided that R₇ and R₈ are not both hydrogen;

2) a heterocyclic group represented by: ##STR7## in which R₃, m and n have the meanings given above and Q may be a bond, CH₂, oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen, N-substituted with R₉, R₉ being a group selected independently from H, linear and branched C₁ -C₄ alkyl groups, phenyl and benzyl groups, of which the aromatic groups may be unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted as described for the phenyl group in R₁ ;

3) a heterocyclic group represented by: ##STR8## in which m1 and m2 are selected independently and may have values of between 0 and 3 and R₃ and R₉ have the meanings given above;

4) a heterocyclic group represented by: ##STR9## in which m, m1, m2 and R₃ have the meanings given above;

t is always 1; it may also have a value or u, but only if W is a heterocyclic group selected from group 2, in which Q is N--R₉.

The stereochemistry of the compounds claimed at the chiral centre marked with an asterisk in formula (I) may be racemic (R, S), R (rectus), or S (sinister), r is preferably 2, and R₃ is preferably hydrogen.

According to the nature of the substituents at R₁, R₂, A and W, the compounds of the present invention have been shown to have a potent antagonistic effect on gastrin (anti-CCK-B activity) and on cholecystokinin (anti-CCK-A activity) and can thus be used to advantage in the treatment of various diseases in man which are linked to imbalances in the physiological levels of gastrin, CCK, or other biologically active polypeptides related thereto, both at the level of the gastro-intestinal system and at the level of the central nervous system (CNS), or in other organs or systems in which these biologically active peptides play a physiological or pathological role. For example, it is possible to predict the advantageous use of these compounds, at the gastro-intestinal level, for the treatment of diseases linked to disturbances of motility and mucotrophism such as colitis, biliary dyskinesia, pancreatitis, gastritis, peptic ulcers and certain forms of intestinal tumours which are sustained by gastrin or polypeptide hormones related thereto, and at the level of the CNS, for the treatment of mental disorders such as, for example, anorexia, psychosis and anxiety states. Another use could be the treatment and prevention of some eye conditions such as, for example, myosis brought about in the course of the surgical treatment of cataracts or of chronic eye inflammation. As well as being active at the receptor level, many of the compounds of the invention also have an intrinsic antispastic effect on muscles, acting directly at the level of the smooth muscle cells. Thus, some of the compounds of the invention have very potent myorelaxant activity even on areas, such as the urine-genital area, which are not connected with the neurophysiological mediators mentioned above, that is, gastrin and CCK, but, inter alia, also linked to a potent anti-serotoninic action. As a result of this potent myorelaxant effect, it is also possible to predict their favourable use for the treatment of pathological conditions such as, for example, incontinence, other problems with urination or, more generally, spasms and dyskinesia of the ureteral, vesical and uterine musculature.

The method of preparing the derivatives of the invention consists of the amidation of acid derivatives of formula (II): ##STR10## in which r, R₁ and R₂ have the meanings given above, with suitable amines of formula (III): ##STR11## in which R₃, t, A and W have the meanings given above, to give the corresponding derivatives of formula (I) according to the following scheme: ##STR12## where (*) indicates the chiral centre of the molecule.

The amidation process is preferably effected with the use of the mixed anhydride method, in an inert solvent, at a temperature of between -15° and +15° or by other suitable conventional methods.

The compounds of formula (I) may be isolated from the reaction mass as such, or in the form of salts by reacting them, in an inert solvent, with the appropriate quantities of inorganic acids such as, for example, hydrochloric acid, or organic acids such as, for example, oxalic acid or maleic acid.

The starting acid derivatives of formula (II) were prepared as described (Makovec et al, J. Med. Chem. 35 (1992), 28-38) and the amines of formula (III) are available commercially or were prepared by conventional methods described in the literature. The following example is given in order further to illustrate the invention:

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of: (RS) 1-[4'-(ethylenamino)morpholinyl]-1-oxo-4-[(3,4-dimethylbenzoyl)-amino]-5- (dipentylamino) -5-oxopentane, (compound 44)

60 g (0.1433 moles) of (R, S) 4-[(3,4-dimethylbenzoyl) amino]-5-(dipentylamino)-5-oxopentanoic acid [tomoglumide, CAS Registry Number: 102742-69-8] and 20 ml of triethylamine (0.1435 moles) were dissolved in 600 ml of tetrahydrofuran and the mixture was cooled to -10° C. This temperature was maintained and 14 ml of ethyl chloroformate (0.1469 moles) were added. Upon completion of the addition, the mixture was left to react for 15 minutes, still at low temperature and then 20 ml of 4-(2-aminoethyl)morpholine (0.1535 moles) were added slowly and the temperature was kept below -5° C. Upon completion of the addition, the reaction mass was kept at low temperature for a further hour and then at ambient temperature for about 12 hours. The solvent was evaporated; the solid obtained was taken up with water and filtered. It was dried in an oven to give 57 g (0.1074 moles) of the product with a yield of 75%.

50 g (0. 0942 moles) of the free base obtained was suspended in 250 ml of ethyl actate and at 5° C. a solution of HCl in acetone (10% excess) was quickly added dropwise. The product started to precipitate almost immediately and was filtered and washed with ethyl acetate and isopropyl ether. It was dried in air bath at 60° C. to give 49 g of the crude product which was crystallised with ethyl acetate. After cooling, the precipitate was filtered and dried in an air bath at 60° C. to give 46 g (0.0811 moles) of the product with an overall yield of 70.5%.

M.P. 150°-53° C.

TLC (nBuOH/AcOH/H₂ O 5:2:2) pure, rf 0.65.

All the compounds of formula (I) were synthesised with the use of the same method (see the scheme given above). Table 1 below gives some of the compounds obtained with some of their identifying characteristics.

    TABLE 1       - DERIVATIVES OF FORMULA       ##STR13##       ##STR14##       ##STR15##       ##STR16##       ##STR17##       ##STR18##       ##STR19##       ##STR20##       ##STR21##       ##STR22##       1 3,5-dichloro-phenyl 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl -- 4-methyl-1-piperaziny      l C26H36C12N403 ×       HCl 119/22 0.56 -66.4 (R)                         2 3,5-dichloro-phenyl      8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl -- 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl C26H36C12N403      ×       HCl 115/19 0.53 +66.5 (S)                                         3      3,5-dichloro-phenyl 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C27H38C12N404       69/72 0.60 -36.99 (R)                                      4 3,5-dichlor      o-phenyl 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-g-yl ethylenamino dimethylamino C25H36C12N4      03 × C2H204       85/91 0.61 -18.4* (R)                                  5 3,5-dichloro-ph      enyl 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl ethylenamino dimethylamino C27H40C12N403      ×       HCl 109/114 0.64 -52.2 (R)                                        6      3,5-dichloro-phenyl 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl ethylenamino 4-methyl-1-pip      erazinyl C28H41C12N503 ×       C8H808 165/66 0.56 -11.9* (R)              7 3-chloro-phenyl 8-azaspiro[      4.5]decan-8-yl -- 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl C26H37C1N403 × HCl      113/116 0.54 -69.1 (R)       8 2-pyridyl 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C26H39N504 × 2HCl       69/71 (dec) 0.53 -57.4 (R)                       9 3-trifluoromethyl-      8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C28H39F3N304  87/90      0.57 -52.4 (R)        phenyl       10 2-furyl 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C25H38N405 101/103 0.58 -70.8 (R)       11 3,5-dichloro-phenyl 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl -- 2-amino-quinuclidyl      C28H38C12N403 ×       HCl 155/61 0.53 -39.5 (R)                           12 2-naphthyl      8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl -- 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl C30H40N403 ×      HCl 110/113 0.58 -84.7 (R)       13 3,5-dichloro-phenyl 3-azaspiro[5.5]-undecan-3-yl -- 4-methyl-1-pipera      zinyl C27H38C12N403 ×       HCl 121/26 0.66 -69.6 (R)                     14 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl      butylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C24H38N404 127/30 0.51 0 (R, S)          15 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl butylamino propylenamino 4-benzyl-1-piperaziny      l C32H47N503 ×       2 HCl 161/65 0.54 0 (R, S)                           16 3,4-dimethyl-phe      nyl pentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C25H40N404 118/20 0.55 0 (R,      S)       17 4-nitrophenyl pentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C23H35N506      138/41 0.60 0 (R, S)       18 3,4-difluoro-phenyl pentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C23H34F2N4      04 135/38 0.52 0 (R, S)       19 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl pentylamino ethylenamino 4-benzyl-1-piperazinyl      C32H47N503 134/37 0.53 0 (R, S)       20 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl pentylamino propylenamino 4-benzyl-1-piperazinyl      C33H49N503 ×       2 HCl 100/07 0.57 0 (R, S)                             21 3,4-dimethyl-p      henyl hexylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C26H42N404 140/42 0.62 0 (R,      S)       22 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl hexylamino propylenamino 4-benzyl-1-piperazinyl      C34H51N503 ×       2 HCl 140/44 0.60 0 (R, S)                             23 3-chloro-pheny      l (3,3-dimethylbutyl)amino -- 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl C23H35C1N403      ×       HCl 113/15 0.58 -37.3 (R)                                         24      3-chloro- (3-ethyl-3-methyl-pentyl)- ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C26H42C1N      504 165/67 0.59 +24.9 (R)        phenylamino amino       25 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dibutylamino ethylenamino dimethylamino C26H44N40      3 110/11 0.51 0 (R, S)       26 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dibutylamino ethylenamino diethylamino C28H48N403       104/07 0.58 0 (R, S)       27 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dibutylamino propylenamino dimethylamino      C27H46N403       96/9 0.53 0 (R, S)                                            28      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dibutylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C28H46N404      138/40 0.57 0 (R, S)       29 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dibutylamino propylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C29H48N404       61/63 0.56 0 (R, S)                                           30      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dibutylamino ethylenamino 1-piperidinyl C29H48N403      109/11 0.63 0 (R, S)       31 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dibutylamino methylamino 1-ethyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl      C29H48N403       73/76 0.51 0 (R, S)                                           32 phenyl      dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C28H46N404 109/11 0.55 0 (R, S)       33 4-methy-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C29H48N404      109/12 0.60 0 (R, S)       34 4-cyano-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C29H45N504      99/100 0.65 0 (R, S)       35 3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C30H50N406 129/39 0.63 0 (R, S)       36 4-isopropyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C31H52N40      4 110/12 0.65 0 (R, S)       37 3,4-dichloro-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C28H44C12N404 116/19 0.65 0 (R, S)       38 3,4-dichloro-phenyl dipentylamino propylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C29H46C12N404       88/91 0.66 0 (R, S)                                        39 3,5-dichlo      ro-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C28H44C12N404 129/31      0.67 0 (R, S)       40 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino dimethylamino      C28H48N403 105/07 0.55 0 (R, S)       41 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino propylenamino dimethylamino      C29H50N403       70/72 0.60 0 (R, S)                                           42      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino diethylamino C30H52N403      85/88 0.59 0 (R, S)       43 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino propylenamino diethylamino      C31H54N403       64/65 0.60 0 (R, S)                                           44      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C30H50N404      ×       HCl 150/53 0.65 0 (R, S)                                          45      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C30H50N404      120/22 0.66 +12.4 * (R)       46 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C30H50N404 118/20 0.66 -12.0 * (S)       47 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino propylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C31H52N404       80/83 0.63 0 (R, S)                                           48      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl      C31H53N503       98/100 0.50 0 (R, S)                                          49      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino propylenamino 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl      C32H55N503       84/85 0.55 0 (R, S)                                           50      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-benzyl-1-piperazinyl      C37H57N503 ×       2HCl 185/89 0.62 0 (R, S)                              51 3,4-dimethyl-p      henyl dipentylamino propylenamino 4-benzyl-1-piperazinyl C38H59N503      ×       2HCl 138/41 0.52 0 (R, S)                                         52      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino -- 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl C29H48N403      81/83 0.59 0 (R, S)       53 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 1-pyrrolidinyl      C30H50N403 127/29 0.61 0 (R, S)       54 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino propylenamino 1-piperidinyl      C32H54N403       92/94 0.56 0 (R, S)                                           55      3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 1-piperidinyl C31H52N403      101/03 0.63 0 (R, S)       56 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino amino 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl      C29H49N503 118/20 0.59 0 (R, S)       57 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl dipentylamino methylamino 1-methyl-4-piperidinyl      C31H52N403 ×       HCl 173/76 dec 0.61 0 (R, S)                           58 3,4-dimethyl-p      henyl dipentylamino methylenamino 1-ethyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl C31H52N403      77/80 0.65 0 (R, S)       59 3-quinolinyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C31H47N504      114/15 0.49 -16.3 (R)       60 3,4-dichloro-phenyl dipentylamino -- 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl C27H42C12      N403 × HCl       81/83 0.64 -41.3 (R)                                    61 2-naphthyl      dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C32H48N404 126/27 0.54 -8.4 (R)       62 3-chloro-phenyl [2-(1-adamantyl)ethyl] ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C30H43C1N404 187/89 0.58 +11.5 (R)         amino       63 3-chloro-phenylamino [2-(1-adamantyl)ethyl] ethylenamino 4-morpholiny      l C30H44C1N504 196 (dec) 0.59 +22.3 (R)         amino       64 3,4-dimethyl-phenyl (3-methoxypropyl)- ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C29H48N405 111/12 0.67 0 (R, S)         pentylamino       65 3-chloro-phenyl decahydroisoquinolin-2-yl ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C27H39C1N404 ×       HCl 116/18 0.51 -62.0 (R)                            66 3-chloro-phenyl      cyclooctylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C26H39C1N404 152/54 0.57 0      (R, S)       67 3-chloro-phenyl octamethylenimino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C26H39C1N404 × HCl       54/47 0.49 0 (R, S)                             68 * 3-chloro-phenyl      (3-ethyl-3methyl-pentyl)- ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl C25H39C1N404 142/44      0.62 0 (R, S)         amino       69 * 3,4-dichloro-phenyl dipentylamino ethylenamino 4-morpholinyl      C29H42C12N404 135/36 0.65 +12.4 (R)       70 * 3,5-dichloro-phenyl 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan8-yl -- 4-methyl-1-piperazi      nyl C25H34C12N403 ×       HCl 263/66 0.50 +2.6 (R)      Note:      1) The compounds 1-67 belong to the glutamic series (r = 2) The compounds      68-70 belong to the aspartic series (r = 1)      2) The thinlayer chromatography (TLC) was carried out with the use of thi      sheets of silica gel and with ButOHAcetic acid  H.sub.2 (5/2/2:v/v) as th      eluent.      3) The determination of the specific rotatory power was carried out in      chloroform, except for the compounds 4, 6, 45 and 46, for which methanol      was used, with the use of sodium as a yellow light source (D).      4) R and S denote the Rectus (R) and Sinister (S) configurations.

Description of Pharmacological Activity

1) Activity Against Gastric Secretion in the Rat

The investigation of the activity against gastric secretion performed by the compounds of the invention by means of an antigastrin mechanism was carried out in vivo in anaesthetized rats with the use of male animals weighing about 200 g. Gastric secretion was stimulated with pentagastrin and the method of K. S. Lai [Gut 5, (1964), 327-341] was used, slightly modified.

After tracheotomy, the oesophagus and duodenum were cannulated. Perfusion was carried out with a tepid solution (37° C.) of 0.25 mM NaOH which was passed through the stomach by means of a peristaltic pump at a constant flow rate of 1 ml/minute. After stabilization for 20 minutes, the stimulant, dissolved in a physiological solution, was perfused for 120 minutes at a dose of 30 mcg/kg/h in a volume of 0.95 ml/hour. After perfusion for 60 minutes (the basal simulation), the product under test was administered intravenously (I.V.) as a bolus and the perfusion of the stimulant was continued for a further 60 minutes. The acid secretion was recorded continuously as a function of time.

The activity of the product was evaluated as the percentage reduction in the secreted acidity after the administration of the product compared with the basal acidity measured during the first 60 minutes of collection in the presence of pentagastrin alone.

The antagonistic compounds tested were administered in different doses in order to be able to calculate an ID50, that is, the dose (in mg/kg I.V.) which can inhibit the effect of the pentagastrin by 50%.

The results obtained are shown in the table below (Tab. 2) in which the activities of the compounds are expressed as ID50s under the stimulus of 30 mcg/kg/h of pentagastrin.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Antagonistic activity (ID50 mg/kg I.V.)                                        towards acid secretion induced by pentagastrin (30                             mcg/kg/h) in the rat.                                                          Compounds Activity (ID50)                                                                            Compounds Activity (ID50)                                ______________________________________                                         1         9.0         44        IN (30)                                        2         24.8        68        31.0                                           3         12.8        70        18.9                                           4         IN(*) (30)  CR 2194   11.0                                           6         IN (20)     proglumide                                                                               500                                            13        8.5         lorglumide                                                                               IN (100)                                       23        25.0                                                                 ______________________________________                                          (*)Note: IN (inactive), when the antisecretive activity at the dose given      is less than 20%.                                                        

It can be seen from an examination of this table that many of the basic compounds of the invention have potent antigastrin activity.

The antigastrin activity is particularly favourable in the case of the derivatives of glutamic acid (r=2) when R₁ is 3,5-dichloro-phenyl, when the amino group R₂ is the azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl group or the azaspiro[5.5]-undecan-3-yl group, A is a bond, and W is the 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl group (compounds 1 and 13). It can be seen that, in this experimental model, the most potent of the compounds of the invention are about 50 times more active than the reference antigastrin compound, proglumide. It is also interesting to note that the CCK-A antagonist, lorglumide, is completely inactive up to a dose of 100 mg/kg. The antigastrin activities of these compounds are stereospecific as can be seen by comparing the activity of the compound 1, derived from the R (rectus) series, which is about three times higher than that of its S (sinister) enantiomer, that is, the compound 2. The compound 1 is about 1.2 times more active than CR 2194, its acid "parent compound", and this ratio becomes about 1.5 when calculated on a molar basis. This shows that, contrary to what was known up to now, the gastrin (CCK-B) receptor is also sensitive to basic competitors.

2) Anticholecystokinin (anti-CCK-A) Activity in vitro

In order to check the hypothesis that the molecular conformations of the compounds of the invention are such that, as well as their antagonistic activity towards gastrin (CCK-B), they also have antagonistic activity towards CCK-A, that is, the peripheral CCK which is active- particularly at the level of the pancreas and the smooth musculature of the gall bladder, the pilorus and the intestine, the ability of some compounds of the invention and of some corresponding acid starting derivatives to inhibit the binding of [125-I]-[Bolton-Hunter]-CCK-8 to the cholecystokinin receptors of the pancreatic cells of the rat was tested, in comparison with the displacement induced by cold (unmarked) CCK-8.

The pancreatic cells of the rat were prepared as described by Makovec et al. (reference cited) so as to produce about 5×10⁶ cells/mi. The cells were then incubated together with the radioactive tracer and the compounds under test for 30 minutes at 37° C.

After the supernatant liquid had been discarded, the radioactivity associated with the pellet was determined with a gamma counter (80% efficiency). The specific binding was determined as the difference between the binding in the absence and in the presence of 10⁻⁶ M CCK-8 (70% on average).

The results obtained are given in Table 3, in which the IC50, that is the concentration (in moles/liter) of the antagonist which can displace 50% of the [125-I]-CCK-8 from the receptor is given.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Inhibition of the binding of (125-I) (B-H) -                                   CCK-8 to the pancreatic cells of the rat.                                      Compounds     IC50 (moles/litre)                                               ______________________________________                                         CCK-8         0.5 · 10.sup.-9                                         Compound 1    6.6 · 10.sup.-6                                         Compound 59   1.2 · 10.sup.-6                                         Compound 61   2.8 · 10.sup.-6                                         R-lorglumide  0.05 · 10.sup.-6                                        CR 2194       13.5 · 10.sup.-6                                        ______________________________________                                    

It can be seen from the data given in the table that some of the compounds claimed have a discrete anti-CCK A activity, antagonising the binding of CCK by 50% at concentrations of about 10⁻⁶ M, that is about 1000 times greater than those of the specific antagonist CCK-8.

Although it has a possible therapeutic significance, this activity is decidedly less than that of the most potent CCK-A antagonists of the acid series such as, for example, R-lorglumide which seems to be about 25 times more active than the compound 59. The introduction of an amino-amide group in position 1 of 4-benzamido-pentanoic acid for the gastrin antagonists (or CCK-B antagonists), on the other hand, slightly increases their CCK-A-antagonistic activity as can be seen by examining the activity of the compound 1 which is about twice as active as its acidic "parent compound" CR 2194.

3) Anticholecystokinin (anti CCK-B) Activity in vitro

Since the radioligand [I-125][B-H]-CCK-8 does not discriminate between the CCK-A and CCK-B receptors present in the brain, in order better to evaluate the abilities of the compounds of the invention to interact with the central CCK-B receptors, a new ligand, non-sulphated [3-H][N-methyl-N-leucine]CCK-8 was used which had been found [Knapp et al.; J. Pharmacol. and Exp. Therap. 255 (3) (1990), 1278-1286) to be a very selective ligand for the CCK-B receptors, its affinity for the receptors of the cortex (CCK-B) being about 4000 times greater than for those of the pancreas (CCK-A) in the guinea-pig.

Cerebral cortices of white male guinea pigs were therefore used, according to the method mentioned above, so as to obtain a membrane content/ml corresponding to about 300 mcg of proteins/mi. The membranes were incubated together with the radioactive tracer and the compounds under test for 150 minutes at 25° C. After the supernatant liquid had been discarded, the radioactivity associated with the pellet was determined with a liquid scintillator. The specific binding was determined as the difference between the binding in the absence and in the presence of 5.10⁻⁶ M CCK-8. The results obtained are given in Table 4 which gives the IC50, that is, the concentration (in moles/liter) of the antagonist which can displace 50% of the (3-H)[N-methyl-N-leucine]CCK-8 from the receptor.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Inhibition of binding of (3-H) [N-methyl-N-                                    leucine] CCK-8 to the guinea pig cortical membrane.                                     IC50                    IC50                                          Compounds                                                                               (moles/litre)                                                                              Compounds   (moles/litre)                                 ______________________________________                                         1        0.7 · 10.sup.-6                                                                   23          IN                                            2        IN*         36          81.3 · 10.sup.-6                     3        2.8 · 10.sup.-6                                                                   44          65.4 · 10.sup.-6                     4        12.5 · 10.sup.-6                                                                  55          IN                                            5        2.6 · 10.sup.-6                                                                   60          50.0 · 10.sup.-6                     6        3.3 · 10.sup.-6                                                                   61          2.9 · 10.sup.-6                      7        6.5 · 10.sup.-6                                                                   R-lorglumide                                                                               9.2 · 10.sup.-6                      11       3.8 · 10.sup.-6                                                                   CR 2194     2.4 · 10.sup.-6                      13       0.6 · 10.sup.-6                                                                   pentagastrin                                                                               3.0 · 10.sup.-9                      ______________________________________                                          Note (*): IN (inactive) when the IC50 is < 10.sup.-4 M.                  

It can be seen from the data given in Table 4 that some of the compounds of the invention, such as, for example, the compounds 1 and 13, are potent inhibitors of the binding of [N-methyl-N-leucine]CCK-8 to the receptors of the cortical membranes of guinea-pigs. In fact they are about 3 times more potent than the gastrin antagonist CR 2194 and about 10 times more potent than the CCK-A antagonist R-lorglumide, whereas they are about 200 times less active than the specific antagonist, pentagastrin. It can also be seen that the displacing activity is greatly affected by the stereochemistry of the molecule of the invention. In fact the S enantiomer of the compound 1 (compound 2) is practically inactive in this test, having an IC50 of more than 10⁻⁶ M.

4) Anxiolytic Activity in the Mouse

In order to confirm the hypothesis that the potent activity of some of the compounds of the invention against central CCK-B may be correlated with a possible anxiolytic activity, this potential activity was evaluated in the mouse with the use of the "Black and White Box test". This experimental model, which was carried out according to Costall et al. [Pharm. Biochem. Behav. 32 (1989), 777-785] used a box with dimensions of 45×21×21 (h) cm. divided into two compartments which communicated with each other by means of a 13×5 cm hole. The smaller compartment (1/3 of the total area) had black walls, whereas the larger had transparent walls and was illuminated by a lamp which was placed 20 cm above the box and supplied light at 20 W. Under the floor was an activity meter which registered the movements performed by the animal in the individual compartments. The experiment was started by placing the animal in the centre of the illuminated box; as well at its movements, the time which the animal spent in the dark and in the light and the number of times it moved between the 2 compartments were recorded for five minutes. In general, a control animal tended preferably to stay in the dark compartment where it felt better protected from an unusual enviromental situation which put it in a state of anxiety. In this experimental model ( see the reference cited above), a compound having anxiolytic activity decreased the % of movements into the dark in comparison with the total movements, increased the movements between the two light-dark compartments, and increased the % of the total time time spent in the light. The results obtained are given in Table 5 below in which the activities obtained with the compound 1 (the rectus series ) and its enantiomer 2 (sinister) tested in comparison with diazepam and the CCK-B antagonist L365-260.

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITY IN THE MOUSE IN THE                                        "BLACK AND WHITE BOX TEST"                                                                             MOV.          LIGHT-      LIGHT                                                DARK (%)      DARK        TIME (%)                              DOSE  No. TOTAL                                                                               TOTAL  % EFF · VS                                                                   MOVE-                                                                               % EFF· VS                                                                    TOTAL % EFF.VS                        mg/kg IP                                                                             animals                                                                            MOV. MOV.   CONTROL                                                                               MENTS                                                                               CONTROL                                                                               TIME  CONTROL                __________________________________________________________________________     CONTROL  --    15  483  50     --     12.8 --     27.7  --                     COMPOUND 1                                                                              0.01  15  478  50      0     13.2 3      32.3# 17                     COMPOUND 1                                                                              0.1   15  461  47     -5     15.0#                                                                               17     35.4# 28                     COMPOUND 1                                                                              1     15  471  45     -9     12.9 0      30.5  10                     CONTROL  --    10  473  52     --     13.3 --     28.2  --                     COMPOUND 2                                                                              0.1   10  477  50     -4     13.2 0      28.3  0                      COMPOUND 2                                                                              1.0   10  462  50     -4     12.8 0      27.5  0                      CONTROL *                                                                               --    10  439  50     --     16.2 --     27.0  --                     L-365-260                                                                               0.01  10  417  57     12     14.2 -12    27.0  0                      "        0.1   10  446  54     18     13.3 -18    31.8  18                     CONTROL *                                                                               --    15  459  56     --     14.5 --     24.6  --                     DIAZEPAM 1     15    508#                                                                              53     -5     19.9 +37.2  29.3  19                     DIAZEPAM 3     15    539#                                                                              52     -7     22.3 +53.8# 33.6  36.7                   __________________________________________________________________________      Note: The control group (*) did not consist of a physiological solution,       but of a suspension of methyl cellulose (0.5%) in a 5% (v/v) solution of       dimethylsulphoxideC which was used to dissolve the compounds under test.       (#) A significant difference in comparison with the controls (P <0.01).  

It can be seen from Table 5 that the compound 1 is active for all the parameters tested. Thus, it has anxiolytic activity which results in a reduction in the percentage of movements into the dark in comparison with the total movements, an increase in the number of light-dark movements, and an increase in the time spent in the light, in comparison with the control group. The dose at which the compound is most active is 0.1 mg/kg (I.P.). The effect of the compound has a bell-shaped curve which result is not rare for compounds which are active on the central nervous system. Its S enantiomer (compound 2) was completely inactive in this model, confirming the results obtained in vitro on the binding of the guinea-pig cortex. The potent benzodiazepine-type CCK-B antagonist L-365-260 (Pakard et al TIPS 11 (1990), 271-273) was also active at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg but only for the parameter which relates to the increase in the time spent in the light. The conventional anxiolytic, diazepam, which was tested at doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg was active in a dose-dependent manner for all the parameters tested. Its activity, however, was qualitatively different since this compound also significantly increased the total movements whereas neither of the putative CCK-B antagonists, that is, the compound 1 and the compound L-365-260, seemed to affect this parameter.

5) Antispastic Activity in vitro: Guinea-pig Ureters

Another interesting aspect of the activity of these products is the potent spasmolytic activity which some of them have on the smooth musculature of mammals. Their activity in the ureters of guinea pigs is given below by way of example. The method of Mitolo-Chieppa et al (Pharm. Res. Comm: 14, 807-814/1992) was used, slightly modified. The guinea-pig ureter, cleaned of fat and of renal tissue, was placed in a bath for isolated organs in the presence of Krebs at a temperature of 37° C. and oxygenated continuously with an oxygen-CO₂ mixture (95-5 v/v). The isotonic contractions were detected by means of a force transducer and recorded. After a re-equilibration period of about 45 minutes, the prepared specimen showed a spontaneous rhythmic contractility. A given concentration of the product under test was then introduced into the bath and left in contact with the prepared specimen for five minutes, after which the ureter was washed until its own spontaneous activity was re-established. The myorelaxant activities of the compounds were determined with the use of various concentrations thus determining the IC50 values, that is, the concentration in mcg/l of the compound which could antagonise the spontaneous activity of the prepared specimen by 50% in terms of both the frequency and the force of the contractions. The results obtained are set out in Table 6 below which gives the compounds tested and the IC50s found, which were calculated by the regression method on a set of at least 3 tests at 3 different concentrations for each compound tested.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Inhibition (IC50) of the spontaneous motility                                  of guinea-pig ureters in vitro                                                 Com-   IC50      IC50            IC50    IC50                                  pound  (frequency)                                                                              (force) Compound                                                                               (frequency)                                                                            (force)                               ______________________________________                                          1     29        23      37      7       8                                      2     20        25      40      44      27                                     3     4.3       4.5     41      28      20                                     4     121       IN      42      22      18                                     6     IN        IN      44      4       5                                     16     IN        IN      45      6       8                                     25     IN        36      46      1.5     1.6                                   27     IN        33      47      15      12                                    28     43        18      51      100     100                                   29     17        18      55      18      11                                    31     IN        23      58      19      14                                    32     22        IN      61      100     32                                    33     16        18      64      IN      59                                    34     12        12      Papaverine                                                                             27      23                                    35     16        18      Flavoxate                                                                              IN      29                                    36     1.5        2      Verapamil                                                                              2.2     3                                     ______________________________________                                    

It can be seen from Table 6 that, whereas some of the compounds of the invention are not very effective in this model, others such as, for example, the compounds 3, 36, 44 and 46, are extremely active (IC50 about 1-2 mcg/ml for the most active).

For example, the compound 46 is about 20 times more active than Papaverine and Flavexate and about twice as active as an extremely potent calcium antagonist such as Verapamil. In general, it can be said that the myolytic activity performed in this model is particularly high when R₁ is 3,4 dimethylphenyl or 4-isopropylphenyl, R₂ is dipentylamino or 8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl, A is ethylenamino, and W is 4-morpholinyl. The preferred configuration in this case is S (sinister) as can be deduced by comparing the activities of the compound 46 with those of its R enantiomer, the compound 45. 

We claim:
 1. A compound represented by the general formula (I): ##STR23## wherein r is 1 or 2; R₁ is independently selected from the group consisting of an unsubstituted phenyl group; a mono- or di-substituted phenyl group in which the substituent is independently selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a linear or branched C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, a methoxy group and a trifluoromethyl group; an unsubstituted phenylamino group; a mono- or di-substituted phenylamino group in which the substituent is independently selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a linear or branched C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, a methoxy group and a trifluoromethyl group; a 2(beta)naphthyl group; and a heterocyclic, monocyclic or bicyclic group selected from the group consisting of a furyl group (2- or 3-yl), an indolyl group (2- or 3-yl), an isoindolyl group (3-yl), a benzofuranyl group (2- or 3-yl), a quinolinyl group (2- or 3-yl), an isoquinolinyl group (3-yl), an unsubstituted pyridyl group and a mono- or di-substituted group in which the substituents are methyl or chloro;R₂ is a heterocyclic spiro group represented by: ##STR24## wherein m and n independently represent a value of between 1 and 3, provided that the ring formed consists of at least 5 atoms; X and Y independently represent (CH--R₄)_(z), TCH₂ or CH₂ T; T is O or S; R₄ independently represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, OCH₃ or OH; and z has a value of from 0 to 3, provided that the ring formed consists of at least 3 atoms; R₃ is H, CH₃ or C₂ H₅ ; A is a bond or a linear or branched alkylene group comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; W is a₂) a tertiary amino group represented by: ##STR25## wherein R₇ and R₈ independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group comprising from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, provided that R₇ and R₈ are not both hydrogen atoms; b₂) a heterocyclic group represented by: ##STR26## wherein R₃, m and n have the above defined meanings; Q is a bond, CH₂, an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, a nitrogen atom, or N--R₉ ; R₉ is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, a phenyl group or a benzyl group, the aromatic groups of which may be unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted as described above for the phenyl group in R₁ ; c₂) a heterocyclic group represented by: ##STR27## wherein m1 and m2 independently represent a value of between 0 and 3; and R₃ and R₉ have the above defined meanings;or d₂) a heterocyclic group represented by: ##STR28## wherein m, m1, m2 and R₃ have the above defined meanings; t is 1, except when Q is N--R₉ in b₂), then t is 0 or 1; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 3-chlorophenyl group or a 3,5-dichlorophenyl group; R₂ is 8-azaspiro[4.5]decano-8-yl or 3-azaspiro[5.5]undecano-3-yl; t is zero; A is a bond; W is 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl; r is 2; R₃ is a hydrogen atom; and the stereochemistry of the chiral center is racemic.
 3. The compound according to claim 2, wherein the stereochemistry of the chiral center is R.
 4. A pharmaceutical preparation comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 1 as an active substance or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 5. The pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable inactive ingredient selected from the group consisting of vehicles, binders, flavorings, dispersants, preservatives, humectants and mixtures thereof.
 6. A method for antagonizing gastrin activity, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 7. A method for antagonizing cholecystokinin activity, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 8. A method for treating ulcers, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 9. A method for treating intestinal tumors, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 10. A method for treating imbalances in the physiological neurone levels of gastrin in the central nervous system, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 11. A method for treating biliary dyskinesia, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 12. A method for treating colitis, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 13. A method for treating pancreatis, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 14. A method for treating myosis, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 15. A method for treating urinary incontinence, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 16. A method for treating neurogenic bladder, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 17. A method for treating urinary calculus, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof.
 18. A method for treating spastic conditions of the vesico-ureteral and uterine musculature, comprising administering the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 4 to a subject in need thereof. 